York St John University, in collaboration with the Institute of AI Education, is offering a PhD scholarship focused on AI literacy in education. This opportunity is designed for motivated candidates interested in researching how artificial intelligence can be effectively embedded within the UK school system to empower young people as ethical creators of AI technologies. The project will explore curriculum design, teacher professional development, learner outcomes, and whole-school approaches to AI literacy and computational thinking.

The research aims to address educational equity, inform policy and practice, and develop practical frameworks and resources for teachers and school leaders. Candidates will collaborate with schools, industry partners, and academic researchers to investigate effective strategies for teaching AI concepts, integrating ethics, and fostering responsible innovation. The methodology will be mixed-methods, including literature reviews, case studies, co-designed workshops, surveys, and both qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Applicants must hold a relevant master's degree from a UK institution and demonstrate experience in pedagogy, AI, and programming. The scholarship covers UK tuition fees (£5,006/year full time, £2,503/year part time) but does not include a stipend. Candidates may apply for a doctoral loan for living expenses. The position is open to UK candidates only, with a start date in February 2026 and a deadline for applications on 3rd December 2025.

Supervision will be provided by Dr Beth Lane, Professor Tom Dobson, and Dr Keither Parker, all affiliated with York St John University. For further information or to apply, candidates should prepare a research proposal or personal statement (up to 1,500 words) and follow the university's admissions process. For queries, contact [email protected] or [email protected].

Key research areas include AI literacy, education, pedagogy, computational thinking, curriculum design, teacher training, educational equity, and policy. This scholarship is ideal for candidates passionate about advancing ethical and inclusive AI education in schools.